Encouraging Generous Hearts

Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations

1.The “norm” for congregations:

• one person is responsible for stewardship

• the annual financial stewardship campaign is the focus

• there is a focus on finance, not stewardship

• “the budget” drives the effort (held hostage to paying the bills)

• Fund raising is at the core of most thinking and action

Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations

2. Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM

that:

• learns and grows together in their understanding of stewardship

• at each meeting practices the marks of discipleship: praying, reading scripture, caring for one another, serving one another and the congregation, seeing Jesus in their midst

• is made up of people with the primary spiritual gift of faith

• stays away from “bean counting” and seeks to raise the faith of every member of the congregation

NOT About Raising Funds . . . . BUT Faith Raising

Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations

• meets once a month and plans for year round stewardship

• are “abundance thinkers”, not “scarcity thinkers”

• is able to read the anxiety in the congregation and stand up to it

• believes and trusts that God is always up to something good and has placed them there for mission

• helps lead the congregation into a focus beyond themselves

2. (continued)Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:

Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations

2. (continued)Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:

• openly talks about tithing and generous giving, encouraging all team members to first fruits giving

• is accountable for mission interpretation, telling the stories of what God is up to in their midst and in the lives of the individual members, encourages personal testimonies on a regular basis

• develops a monthly stewardship publication for the congregation, focusing on celebrating the mission and ministry they share

• develops and executes an annual financial stewardship program

Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations

• encourages the discovery of individuals spiritual gifts and helps to connect each person’s gifts with a particular ministry of the congregation

2. (continued) Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:

Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations2. (continued)

Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:

• has the pastor involved with the work of the team, particularly the visioning for the future

• communicates with other leadership in the congregation

• continues to equip each other for this ministry, browsing for more tools and resources

• challenges the congregation by faithfully asking, leads the congregation in celebrating and communicating what God is up to in their midst, and consistently thanks everyone for their part in the ministry, large or small.

Is constantly recruiting people with the gifts to expand the team

OK! Now . . . if I have a team

developing what is the next step?

Let me give you some ideas for you to consider

towards your

YEAR ROUND Stewardship Program

This Workshop is About Stewardship!

What do you think about when you hear the word STEWARDSHIP?

What do these two items have

in common?

Of all the things we own, we probably keep the closest eye on our

cars.

• Watch the gas gauge• Watch the miles• Watch the oil• Check the tire pressure• Keep it washed & polished• Keep it tuned up before vacation• Etc. Etc. Etc. . . .

Requires the same year round

maintenance in our congregations.• Temple Talks

• Monthly News Articles• Weekly Bulletin Announcements• Mission Activity• Youth Activity• Community Events• Social Education &Training• Reaching Out to Someone in Need

Keeping the people in the pews informed

Don’t ASSUME that everyone knows what is happening.

AND

Don’t ASSUME that everyone is giving as much as they can.

Don’t Be

For Example

Each Month

Will Have Different Subject and Focus, so Mix and Match

Did you know that 10% was the REQUIRED Tithes

in the Old Testament

Imagine MY Surprise when

the Average Lutheran Giving

is only 1.8% Today